Provide personal care and relates assigned services to patients in the home, nursing home, assisted living and inpatient facilities in accordance with an established physician plan of care and under the supervision of a registered nurse. Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Observe patients, report observations and document observations and care performed in a timely fashion. Manage related expenditures in a fiscally responsible manner in accordance with the company budget, travel as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure quality and safe delivery of home hospice services to patients/families/caregivers.

Perform or assist patient with personal care activities as prescribed in the care plan, including but not limited to hygiene, mobility and elimination. When unable to perform a task designated on the care plan, report to the registered nurse immediately.

Use all equipment in a safe and proper manner.

Practice universal precautions in all contacts with the patient.

Perform or assist patient/family/caregiver with home maintenance activities in the care plan, including, but not limited to, light housekeeping and meal preparation.

Perform support activities as prescribed in the care plan including, but not limited to, supporting independence, providing companionship, and providing respite for caregivers.

Assure compliance with local, state and federal laws, Medicare regulations and established company policies and procedures.

Meet or exceed delivery of company service standards in a consistent manner.

Conduct all business activities in a professional and ethical manner.

These statements are representative of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform related tasks other than those stated in this description.

JOB LIMITATIONS

The Home Health Aide will not function in any manner viewed as the practice of nursing according to the Nursing Practice Act. Specifically, the HHA will not administer medications, take physicians' orders or perform procedures requiring the training, knowledge and skill of a licensed nurse, including, but not limited to change of sterile dressings, irrigate body cavities, irrigate a colostomy or wound, perform a gastric lavage or gavage, catheterize a patient, apply heat by any method, care for a tracheotomy tube, or any personal health service which has not been included in the patient care plan by the registered nurse.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office, extended care facility, patient home setting, exposure to infectious diseases, travel by automobile and occasionally by airplane.

Requirements:

Proof of certification by a state recognized body and/or state certification preferred or equivalent training and experience.

Minimum of one year direct patient care experience in an institutional or home care setting required. Hospice experience preferred.

Sufficient documentation of having passed a skills test and written/oral test demonstrating those competencies identified in OBRA-87, 42 C.F.R. Sections 484.36 and 484.4. In lieu of such documentation, a newly hired HHA must demonstrate skills and written/oral competency prior to working independently with a patient.

Compliance with accepted professional standards and practices.

Understanding of Hospice philosophy and the needs of the terminally ill.

Valid driver's license and an automobile that is insured in accordance with state requirements.

Ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting.

Demonstrate excellent observation, good judgment and communication skills. Ability to provide good written documentation in a timely setting.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written, oral and diagramed instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers.

Satisfactory criminal background check.

Flexible and cooperative in fulfilling all obligations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires moderately heavy physical exertion on a regular and recurring basis such as extensive driving, assisting patient in transfer activities and providing substantial support to individuals in ambulation therapy. Will frequently lift and/or move over 100 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, twist and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Regularly required to use hands to fingers, to handle or feel, and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities include close, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Employee is expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, employee is expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities. Employee must attend mandatory education programs.